It is true what others say about our emphasis (at least among the more careful and prudent) differs from that of the RCC. Traditionally, as it has been explained to me, the priest uses the passive voice when granting absolution saying "you are forgiven your sins" rather than the more western "I forgive you your sins". However, the latter IS said in the Orthodox Church depending on the tradition due to, I am told, western influence during the rennaissance and later 18th c when many priests went west for various reasons to go to the sem. Western wording and even doctrine inculcated the East.
Also, in the end, based on conversations with good Catholic friends of mine, I think that Orthodox Confession can be just as empty as your RC experience was and, transversly, a Catholic confession can be just as rich and fulfilling as an Orthodox Confession. I think this depends mostly on the readiness of the person to make it fulfilling by preparing to lay themselves bare so they might rise again.
Now, some practical differences, I think, make it a bit easier to have a more meaningful confession experience:
1) being face-to-face (no screen) which I think is very very important because the priest can recognize you and prescribe you medicine tailored to your struggles.
-HOWEVER, it is my understanding that in some RC diocese, face-to-face is being encouraged. But, I think the screen is still the norm. But even with it, my friends and wife (former RC) have expressed having MANY very meaningful confessions where they leave crying/changed/repentant/relieved (becuase they are absolved)
2) The RCC tends to divide sins into thte categories of Mortal vs Venial (the former which must be confessed in front of a priest) whereas the OC tends to focus on the intention behind the sin and generally expects a more thorough examination confessing the big and the small. This depends on the priest, but there is no guide saying "if you don't confess this with yor priest, it can't be forgiven you. The concept is, rather, that if you purposesly avoid confessing something (regardless of how it would be categorized in western terms) you carry the added sin of hiding sins. However, if you forget to confess something with sincerity and not out of carelessness absolution is what it is. The basic idea is if you wonder if you should be confessing it, then you should.
-HOWEVER, I have never read anything that says one is barred or discouraged from sharing venial sins. I think this part is, actually wholly dependant on the person confession. You get out of it what you put into it.
3) the fact that we usually don't give "standard" prescriptions like so many Hail Mary's, etc... Don't get me wrong, I think there is wisdom in that. I have no problem with repeating prayers as a aid in helping overcome something. I also have no problem with the concept of penance (although "penance" as understood in the East is a bit different than in the West) but offering it so arbitrarily (which one can't help but do if they don't even know who they are talking to) seems less constructive than it could be.
-I CAN see this as being the biggest problem. That said, I am told that less and less this is the practice or, at the very least, priests may still do this (which I think is fine) but, more essentially, they give constructive advice and such just as Orthodox priests do.
I guess in the end, what I am saying, is that if the RC Confession seemed empty to you, you MIGHT find the OC version being more fulfilling, but it is highly likely that you will find it just as empty if you treat confession the same as you did when you were an RC. It's a Sacrament, but it's not magic.
God bless!
Josh
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